Queen at 90, a Vanity Fair cover star, at home with her corgis

She is pictured as most of her subjects might imagine her – surrounded by her beloved dogs, at home in her garden at Windsor Castle.

The result is a reassuringly intimate portrait of the Queen taken by Annie Leibovitz, one of the world’s most sought after photographers, to mark Her Majesty’s 90th birthday.

Sitting with the Queen are her two corgis, Holly and Willow, along with Vulcan and Candy, her two ‘dorgis’.

This is the crossbreed the Queen developed when one of her corgis mated with a dachshund that belonged to her sister, Princess Margaret.

The Queen's 90 years in 90 pictures

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Although she has carefully overseen a programme of breeding since 1949, starting with her first puppy, Susan, there has been no breeding since the birth of Holly and Willow, the year after the Queen Mother’s death in 2002.

The picture is being published on the cover of the latest edition of Vanity Fair on Friday, along with several more taken by the American photographer.

You get the sense of how at peace she was with herself, and very much enthralled with her familyAnnie Liebovitz

One image – which, like the cover shot, is previously unseen - shows the Queen and Prince Philip, seated together in the Old Sitting Room at Windsor, an affectionate portrait of a couple with nearly 69 years of marriage behind them.

Leibovitz said that, as might be expected, the Queen had her own views about how the photographs should be taken.

“The most moving, important thing about this shoot is that these were all her ideas,” said Leibovitz.

“She wanted to be photographed with her grandchildren and great- grandchildren; her husband, Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh; her daughter, Anne, the Princess Royal; and her corgis.

“I was told how relaxed she was at Windsor, and it was really true. You get the sense of how at peace she was with herself, and very much enthralled with her family.”

The Queen's life on camera - in 90 seconds

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The issue of Vanity Fair includes alongside the photographs a series of essays about the Queen, including one by William Shawcross, the royal biographer.

He writes that while Britain has “changed almost beyond recognition since 1952”, she has been “constant”.

Shawcross writes: “She has understood that the Crown is an office, defined by duties, and not an individual, moved by hopes and fears. She has quietly adapted the office so that it remains the small voice of calm to which people turn for reassurance in social and political storms.”

The Royal Family reflect on The Queen turning 90

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Also included is an essay by the Queen’s former private secretary Sir Kenneth Scott, which offers an insight into her enduring sense of humour.

Sir Kenneth recalls how during a visit to a shop in Ballater, Aberdeenshire, she was approached by another customer who declared – as anyone might who looks at Liebovitz’s photographs: “You look just like the Queen!”